Cleared, Lingard emerges as option to replace Memphis at Corinthians | OneFootball

Corinthians could have a new option on the pitch — or even in the starting lineup — for Wednesday’s match against Fluminense. Properly registered, attacking midfielder Jesse Lingard is cleared to make his debut in the black-and-white shirt.

Lingard was signed by Corinthians on March 6. However, because he is a foreign player, the bureaucratic procedures were more complex, requiring the issuance of a CPF tax ID number and a work visa. The latter, in fact, was published in Brazil’s Official Gazette last Wednesday (25).

(Photo: Rodrigo Coca/Agência Corinthians)

The Briton was therefore registered in the CBF’s BID (Daily Information Bulletin) last Thursday and is now available to head coach Dorival Júnior.

Corinthians did not rush the registration process. The club’s coaching staff felt the player needed to go through a physical reconditioning period before making his debut. There was also the FIFA international break — time that ended up being essential in completing the Englishman’s registration.

Registration comes at a good time

Lingard’s availability comes at a good time for Dorival Júnior’s coaching staff, who are searching for alternatives in the squad ahead of the troublesome clash with Fluminense. With absences and no new signings, the coach will have only four natural forwards available for the match.

Timão lost forward Memphis Depay in the draw against Flamengo in the Brasileirão on March 22. The Dutchman was diagnosed with a strain in the anterior muscle of his right thigh and has no timetable for a return. Gui Negão, meanwhile, suffered a very similar injury and will also be unavailable.

It is also worth remembering that Corinthians were already without Kaio César, who suffered perifibrotic inflammation in the area affected by the injury to the posterior muscle of his right thigh.

As a result, Alvinegro will have only four forwards against Fluminense: Yuri Alberto, Pedro Raul, Vitinho and Kayke. The No. 9 is expected to start, while Lingard emerges as an option to fill Memphis’ spot amid the lack of attacking production, an issue that has been bothering Dorival during the current seven-match winless run.

Lingard can therefore put himself in contention for Memphis’ place at Corinthians. The Englishman has already shown versatility at other points in his career and can play in a role supplying Yuri Alberto and helping generate more attacking play, as he has already shown the technical quality to do so.

The Briton signed a contract with Timão until the end of the year, with the possibility of an automatic renewal for one more season if he meets certain performance targets.

League table situation

Corinthians are looking to give the Fiel Torcida a response after a run of seven matches without a win — five draws and two defeats in that span. In the Brasileirão, the black-and-white side sit 11th with 10 points.

Corinthians’ upcoming matches

Fluminense vs Corinthians (ninth round of the Brazilian Championship) Date and time: 04/01 (Wednesday), 9:30 p.m. (Brasília time) Venue: Maracanã, in Rio de Janeiro (RJ)

Corinthians vs Internacional (10th round of the Brazilian Championship) Date and time: 04/05 (Sunday), 7:30 p.m. (Brasília time) Venue: Neo Química Arena, in São Paulo (SP)

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.